Starting with this one by Sandeep which includes quotes from MF Husain’s recent interview. The two that I found most interesting were: (emphasis mine):
MF Husain:
“…Later, in Hyderabad, in 1968, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia suggested I paint the Ramayana. I was completely broke, but I painted 150 canvases over eight years…When I was doing this, some conservative Muslims told me, why don’t you paint on Islamic themes? I said, does Islam have the same tolerance? If you get even the calligraphy wrong, they can tear down a screen.
…
In colleges, you learn about Shakespeare and Keats, Kalidas does not find mention. This is why there is no pehchan in India, no recognition of what is Indian. Things are so farcical that years ago when the Benaras Hindu University honoured Subbulakshmi, JRD Tata, Mother Teresa and me, we were given red caps and cloaks! (laughs) This was the seat of Hindu learning! The custodian of Bharatiya sanskriti! “
.
followed by Daniel Pipes’ sharp analysis on how Britain is inching closer to Islamic Law that has a mention of how, after a year-long review, …the British government has concluded “…that recognising multiple marriages conducted overseas was “the best possible” option” (even though) bigamy is punishable in Britain by up to seven years in prison. As an aside, also read “Britain’s love affair with the Saudi kingdom“, By Jemima Khan, written in Nov ‘07.
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then move on to “Are Youth Bulges the Root Cause of Terrorism?“ in which Dilip has done a painstaking and fascinating job of analysing a recent study by Gunner Heinsohn to understand its implications for India.
The premise of Heinsohn’s research is that demographics, in particular, large numbers of disaffected youth are one of the key factors behind terrorism. Here is what Dilip thinks about the challenges we face in various states:
Jammu and Kashmir: The J&K population growth rate probably peaked in the early-to-mid ‘70s, so the impact of the youth bulge would be expected to be most intensely felt in the late ‘80s to early ‘90s which is exactly around the period when violence was at its height; its subsequent decline could also be attributed to the fall in growth rate.
It has however not ended despite a considerable decline in the growth rate, a fact that may be attributed to the high absolute rate (despite the decline) as well as other factors such as external infiltration.
Punjab: A similar profile is seen here. The growth rate probably peaked by 1971 and the effects of the bulge would be expected by the mid-‘80s which again matches the timing of the violent aftermath of Operation Blue Star (in light of this, is Blue Star which is routinely blamed for the escalation the paramount cause of it after all?). The falling growth rate may have been instrumental in its demise by the early ‘90s.
Nagaland: The stubborn persistence of this conflict through the decades could also be attributed to incessant series of youth bulges through the decades. The trend, if this theory is true, indicates that no resolution must be expected in the near future which may lend support to the Center’s continuing ceasefire with the dominant I.Muviah faction.
Assam: In case of Assam however, the growth rate was in inexorable decline through the ‘70s which ought to have translated into a peaceful ‘90s which was not the case – there was considerable violence through the early ‘90s and ULFA, though no longer as potent, continued to retain enough potential for mayhem even through the first decade of the 21st century.
…
In summary, it appears that youth bulge is an important factor in sustaining violent conflicts and preventing the restoration of political stability. However, such problems are multidimensional and it is only one (albeit an important one) amongst several factors. Heinsohn’s idea of it as the nidus upon which all else coalesces to create the storm may therefore not be quite accurate…
Incidentally, Mr Heinsohn’s prediction for the future of Pakistan and Afghanistan is dire and warns of impending instability in our neighbourhood.
“Pakistan’s bloodletting will not be ending soon. A burgeoning population of young men shares the Taliban’s dream of a nuclear-armed Islam, with a united Afghanistan and Pakistan as its core territory and led by a new Caliphate. Although the fertility rate among Pakistani women has declined from close to six in 2000 to an average of four children each in 2007, their sisters in Afghanistan are still having close to seven.
That is why in the Hindu Kush every 1,000 pensioners are followed by 5,570 men of best military age and 11,130 boys aged 0 to 4. This means the troubles in Pakistan and Afghanistan will be with us for at least 20 more years. “
Not comforting.
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Finally, for a bit of “light reading”fun, read, “Winds of War: More Pinhead Thinking on Terrorism“ which talks about a British study that draws links between “engineers and terrorism, saying such people are high achievers and often get sucked into radicalism out of frustration with their corrupt bureaucracies…and thus receptive to radical messages“.
Priceless.
February 15th, 2008
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Current Affairs, Global Terrorism, India & Its Neighbours, Indian Culture, Arts and Music, Jammu & Kashmir related, Khajuraho, Pakistan related, Terrorism in India |
no comments
Boston Herald printed an AP news story last week with a dumb headline “Hindus lament divine case of erectile dysfunction“ to which HAF had a very sensible and measured response.
I was struck by the contrast with the Danish cartoon controversy. For more on this, see “The Danish cartoon controversy: A contrast in protests“, Michelle Malikin’s “Support Denmark: Why the forbidden cartoon matter“ and Tavleen Singh’s article, “The right to laugh at gods…”
…and before someone asks, here is my position on the Danish cartoon controversy:
The point is not whether the cartoons are offensive, outrageous or insulting - that they may well be - the point is are we going to defend the right of people to create and publish them?
This is about freedom of expression, freedom to offend, freedom to “laugh at gods”.
And that is exactly why, on one hand, I condemn M F Husain but on the other, am equally against strong-arm tactics to force him to withdraw his paintings that are seen as insulting towards Hindu deities.
***** Below is a more detailed comment that I made on another blog on this topic
To make it absolutely clear: Although I do feel offended by certain paintings of Husain 1] this is a free country and Shri Husain is free to paint what he wishes to 2] I absolutely and unequivocally condemn the death threats and threats of violence in this situation (just as I would condemn the fatwa against Salman Rushdie) and 3] if certain people are upset about it, they have recourse to judicial means.
Now to the main argument (and this is not really about just the one painting that you have on your blog).
Keep Reading…
July 18th, 2007
Posted by
B Shantanu |
Current Affairs, Distortions, Misrepresentation about Hinduism, Khajuraho, Media Related |
8 comments
I wrote a follow-up comment on Jo’s blog following my earlier comment which I feel is worth reproducing in full here:
Jo,
First a clarification (which I think is very important):
I am all for freedom of expression and as I have maintained several times in the past, I label myself as “a liberal who is prepared to fight for the ideals of freedom, tolerance and respect for others”.
To make it absolutely clear: Although I do feel offended by certain paintings of Husain 1] this is a free country and Shri Husain is free to paint what he wishes to 2] I absolutely and unequivocally condemn the death threats and threats of violence in this situation (just as I would condemn the fatwa against Salman Rushdie) and 3] if certain people are upset about it, they have recourse to judicial means.
Now to the main argument (and this is not really about just the one painting that you have on your blog).
What I cannot understand is the inconsistency in the stand of the government (the cartoon controversy comes to mind), in the mind of the artist (did Shri Husain defend the Danish newspaper editor? – not as far as I know although I am willing to be corrected on this) and in the minds of various defenders of “freedom of expression”.
I think it is really very simple: Either you are FOR ”freedom of expression” - in which case you would also show the Mohammed cartoons on your site along with the Husain painting (- or desist from showing both out of deference to popular sensibilities) OR you are FOR ”limited/restrained freedom” in which case you will probably agree that Husain’s paintings are sometimes over the top.
I am not a right-wing Hindutva-wadi (in the sense that you imply) and I cannot support their threats of personal violence against Shri Husain (or the moral policing by certain groups that you refer to - the Richard Gere-Shilpa Shetty controversy comes to mind).
In fact, the essence of Hindu traditions (as I have written before on your blog) is to hold all alternative viewpoints in equal respect and not consider them as blasphemous or sacrilegious. So a true Hindu may be offended by Shri Husain’s paintings but will not call for his death just because of that. Further, a true “Hindu fundamentalist” will (i) have belief in the one-ness of all life and (ii) hold that in spite of diversity and external dissimilarity, all beings are one, all life is sacred and all creatures are part of one eternal truth and (iii) be tolerant and respectful of others. The “Hindutva-vadis” you mention are far removed from this.
As regards dieties being painted in the nude, let me try and explain:
Hindu temples are not just places of meditation and solemn rituals. Temples have historically (and even today) been one of the important centres of social and cultural activity in any village, town or city. This is important so that one can understand the context and appreciate that not every sculpture or icon in a temple belongs to a diety.
The Khajuraho sculptures that people routinely refer to, are not those of Gods and Goddesses but of courtiers, courtesans, royals and ordinary mortals. Please go and visit if you have not done so far (or if you do not believe me).
Bear in mind also that the Khajuraho tyemples were built by Chandela kings who were heavily influenced by (and were followers of) the Tantric cult. This is not the best place to get into the complexities of that belief system (and it is widely mis-understood) but that partially explains the sexual postures on the outside of temples.
Yet, to be clear, the temples do not contain sexual themes inside the Temple premises or near the deity(-ies).
The erotic carvings themselves are a small proportion of the overall art (they obviously get disproportionate attention) and the idols of Shiva, Durga and Vishnu avatar are clothed.
Hope this clarifies things somewhat.
May 10th, 2007
Posted by
B Shantanu |
A Hindu Identity, Distortions, Misrepresentation about Hinduism, Hindu Dharma, Indian Culture, Arts and Music, Khajuraho |
8 comments
Earlier this month (May �06), the Indian High Commissioner to UK, H.E. Kamalesh Sharma inaugurated an exhibition of paintings by MF Husain in London and remarked that the painter was the greatest modern Indian artist[i].
Although I do not personally understand Husain�s art, I can imagine that he has some admirers. But to call this artist - who has over the years (for more than 2 decades) systematically attempted to denigrate a multitude of Hindu deities, symbols and images � as the �greatest modern Indian artist� is a little over the top.
This is the same painter against whom a notice has been issued by the High Court in Mumbai, against whom a case is pending in Indore and whose paintings are the subject of a Law Ministry advisory which is so detailed that state governments can (if they so wish) treat it as a complaint and take action against Husain[ii].
But then why blame the High Commissioner when our entire intelligentsia considers Husain�s work as high-quality art and something to be proud of?
When I raised the issue of Husain�s apparent contempt for the feelings and sensitivities of Hindus in the practise of his �art�[iii] with some �liberal� friends, the comments I got were similar and usually along the lines of:
�Hindus have become very intolerant in the recent past��
�Nude gods and goddesses have been routinely depicted in Indian art and architecture e.g. Khajuraho� and
Hindu reaction is partly because of the controversy surrounding the Danish cartoons
We have to defend an artists� freedom to depict the world (and express it) the way he/she sees it
Let us analyze these points one-by-one.
The first argument, viz. �Hindus have become very intolerant in the recent past�� is in the best traditions of the pseudo-liberal intelligentsia that dominate our national media. To these commentators, no insult is provocation enough and since the essence of Hinduism is �tolerance�, we should forgive (and forget) such insults � because hasn�t Hinduism survived many such onslaughts in the past?
Oddly, none of these commentators talk about the rising �intolerance� around us (witness the Danish cartoon controversy) and none of them have any alternative suggestions for how else to deal with such gratuitous acts of contempt. For them, the solution is simple � tolerate and forget.
The second line of defense appears slightly more sophisticated but is equally specious. Hindu Gods and Goddesses have not routinely been painted in the nude in the past. The Khajuraho sculptures that these sophists refer to are not those of Gods and Goddesses but of courtiers, courtesans, royals and ordinary mortals.
The third point is really not a counter-point at all but is a weak attempt at explaining away the reaction to Husain�s art as an �aberration� on the part of the �tolerant� Hindu who has been led astray because of the rising tide of intolerance around him/her.
Note the subtle connection between points 1 and 3 � both make a virtue of �tolerance� and both elevate it to the �essence� of Hinduism. Whether Hindus have become “more” intolerant than before or not is open to debate but one must bear in mind that we do not live in a vacuum and what we see around us, does affect us.
Of course, Shri Husain is not unaware of these developments and earlier this year, he apologised for painting �Bharatmata� in the nude and also promised the painting from a charity auction (but stopped short of saying that he will destroy it)[iv]
As regards the fourth point regarding �artistic freedom�, I would simply reproduce an excerpt from �Encirclement From Within� by N S Rajaram in Mar �03[v]
�Here is another example. When some Hindu groups objected to M.F. Husain for painting Hindu goddesses in the nude, the secular intellectuals including the media defended his �artistic freedom� do as he wished. But in 2002, a newspaper office in Bangalore was vandalized by a Muslim mob for publishing a perfectly innocent cartoon of Prophet Muhammad in its children�s section. And the newspaper apologized to the attackers. Imagine the victim apologizing to the assailants! Other papers in Bangalore�and at other places�have also apologized on similar occasions. So �artistic freedom� means freedom to offend Hindu sensibilities only!�
The most amazing thing is that Husain has been doing the �I am sorry, I was wrong� act for more than ten years � while continuing to add to his repertoire of nude images and paintings.
In Jan�97 (yes, that is more than 9 years ago), Husain was interrogated by the police in connection with the controversy over his nude painting of Goddess Saraswati. Earlier in �96, the Mumbai city branch of CID had actually registered cases against Shri Husain under Section 295 A and 153 A of the Indian Penal Code. The charge was that Shri Husain had outraged religious feelings and hurt public sensitivities.
And what did Husain do? He issued a written statement denying any �intention� to hurt religious feelings (of course) and apologised if he had hurt anyone�s sentiments � �Oops, I am sorry, I was wrong�.
Fast forward to Feb 2006 � and the BBC online story, �Indian painter sorry for nude art� - D�j� vu, anyone?
Now, as �tolerant� and �forgiving� Hindus, we will of course forget this apology too and move on � until the next affront hits us in the face � and there will another round of apologies, protests and withdrawals.
Until then, please read a brilliant and biting piece on Shri Husain by RBL Nigam, �MF Husain: The Hindu Hater[vi]� (May 13 �06)�and to really make a difference, join the protest online at http://www.sanatan.org/hussaincampaign/
B Shantanu
P.S. As I write this, breaking news from London: The Husain exhibition is being cancelled by the organisers for �security reasons�.
References
[i] See http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/may/10husain.htm
[ii] See �Red Alert on MF Husain�, Hindustan Times, Aloke Tikku, May 5, �06 (excerpts below) �The Home Ministry�s advisory follows concerns � backed by intelligence reports � that Husain’s Bharatmata and other controversial paintings of Hindu goddesses can spark communal trouble. A case against him is already pending in an Indore court�.The state police can treat the Home Ministry�s report as a complaint � the accompanying documents are said to be quite detailed � and proceed against Husain. But it is a call the state governments will have to take.
[iii] See my blog entry at http://hindu_dharma.blogspot.com/2006/02/mf-husain-apologises.html
[iv] http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/4694272.stm
[v] Original article at http://india.indymedia.org/en/2003/03/3544.shtml and also at http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/2005_06.php
[vi] Online at http://nigamrajendra.blogspot.com/2006/05/mfhusain-hindu-hater.html
May 27th, 2006
Posted by
B Shantanu |
A Hindu Identity, Distortions, Misrepresentation about Hinduism, Hindu Dharma, Khajuraho |
2 comments
Why do you keep posting...